Halong Bay can feel like a checklist. This cruise feels more like a routine you’ll actually enjoy, with modern comfort plus real time on the water. The ship, Stellar of the Seas, is one of the newest in the area (opened Oct 19, 2018) and runs with a full program: a sunset party, BBQ dinner on the sundeck, and onboard activities that keep the day from dragging.

Two things I especially like here: the food (including a BBQ dinner and meals on board) and the way the schedule gives you both active moments (like swimming) and slower ones (like Tai Chi on the sundeck). One heads-up: the trip is priced like a premium cruise, but drinks aren’t included, so your final bill can creep up if you’re a soda, beer, or cocktail person.

Key Highlights Worth Booking This for

• BBQ dinner on the sundeck with an evening vibe built in
• Tai Chi session early on Day 2, held on the sundeck for sunrise energy
• Swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach in Lan Ha Bay for a break from just cruising
• Modern ship facilities including an outdoor pool and a mini golf course
• Smallish group size with a maximum of 40 travelers
• Meals and entrance fees included, so you’re not constantly paying as you go

Stellar of the Seas: a modern 6-star cruise that keeps the pace easy

Stellar of the Seas is a newer ship in Halong Bay, under the Aclass Cruise Group umbrella. It runs with 22 modern cabins, and that matters because your experience tends to feel less like a floating bus and more like a small hotel with views. You also get outdoor space that actually gets used: an outdoor pool, a bar, and a restaurant, plus a sundeck where the evening events happen.

I like that the cruise mixes “do something” with “sit and watch.” Some Halong tours feel like you’re just moved from one photo stop to the next. Here, you have time anchored around the bay, with set moments like the sunset party and BBQ dinner, not just a list of transfers.

The other big practical win is that you’re not only depending on the weather. Even if you spend less time outdoors one day, the ship has enough onboard options—like its casual activity scene (including a cooking class) and the pool area—to keep the cruise from feeling thin.

Price and value: what $460 really buys you

At $460 per person for 2 days and 1 night, you’re paying for a premium-style cruise experience from Hanoi, not just a boat ticket. What helps the value is what’s included: pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter, a guide, food, and entrance fees. When those basics are included, you avoid the usual “cheap tour becomes expensive tour” effect.

What’s not included is drinks. That’s common, but it’s worth planning for. If you plan to have beer or cocktails at night, budget extra. If you drink mostly water (or you keep it light), the package price feels much easier to justify.

Also note the booking behavior: this itinerary averages about 74 days in advance. That’s usually a sign demand is steady. If you’re traveling in a busy season, booking early improves your odds of getting the cabin category you want.

Hanoi pick-up and meeting point: start the day without stress

The experience starts at 8:00 am, with the meeting point at 7 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. The tour also offers pick-up and drop-off at hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter, which is a big deal in a city where traffic can turn “one hour away” into “maybe later.”

I like that the meeting point is near public transportation, because it gives you a backup option if you’re running late or arriving from somewhere else in town. And because the end time returns you back to the same meeting point area, you’re not stuck figuring out a last transfer after the cruise.

Day 1 in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay: Tuan Chau, lunch, beach swim, then BBQ

Day 1 moves you from Hanoi to the Halong Bay area via Tuan Chau marina, then into a day of classic bay scenery plus a couple of moments that feel more human than tour-scheduled.

After travel time, the cruise includes lunch onboard, which is practical. When the schedule compresses, having food handled for you prevents the usual mid-cruise hangry spiral. You also get a natural beach break: swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach area, located in Lan Ha Bay. For most first-timers, a bay cruise can feel like you’re mostly looking. A real swim changes that.

Later, the mood turns festive. You’ll have a sunset party and then a BBQ dinner served on the cruise sundeck. This is the kind of evening that makes cruises worth doing, even if you’ve seen photos of Halong Bay before. The point is timing: you’re not just eating, you’re eating while the bay cools off and the light gets dramatic.

The day still has energy after dinner, too, with onboard night activities. That’s a plus if you’d rather not spend the night in your cabin staring at the ceiling.

What to watch on Day 1

• If you love swimming, bring swim gear that dries quickly, because you’ll likely go from water to events.
• If you’re sensitive to sun, you’ll want light protection for the deck time between lunch and sunset.

Day 2 in Bai Tu Long Bay: morning Tai Chi and a calmer pace

Day 2 starts early with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. It’s scheduled for 07:00–08:00, and the idea is simple: start your day with light movement, focus your breathing, and then let the morning set the tone for the bay.

I’m a fan of Tai Chi on a moving deck because it turns the morning into something more than waiting for breakfast. It also fits the way this cruise is paced: you get one structured moment at the start, then the day continues in Bai Tu Long Bay with the kind of activities Halong Bay cruises are known for (the cruise style includes options like cave and village sightseeing, kayaking around caves, and time that can include biking on Cat Ba Island, depending on the day’s plan).

Breakfast is included on Day 2, and the early start makes the rest of the day feel less rushed. Bai Tu Long Bay is often chosen for a more relaxed feel compared with the busier zones, and even if you’ve never been, you’ll likely appreciate the shift from sunset energy to a morning-and-midday rhythm.

What makes Day 2 feel different

This is where you’re most likely to enjoy the “in between” moments: the ship gliding, photo stops that don’t feel like sprinting, and the chance to repeat what worked on Day 1. If you’re the type who likes to do one or two activities well instead of trying to tick every box, this schedule fits.

Onboard comfort: cabins, pool time, and the ship’s small pleasures

The ship has 22 cabins, which gives it a modern, boutique feel. That size matters because it impacts the flow of the day: less congestion at meal times, easier movement on deck, and shorter waits for whatever onboard activity is happening.

You can also use the outdoor pool and the mini golf course when you want downtime. These aren’t the main reason you came to Halong Bay, but they’re useful on a cruise because the bay weather can change. If it rains lightly or the wind picks up, you’ll still find ways to pass time without it turning into boredom.

One more detail worth noting: the cruise highlights a cooking class. That’s the kind of activity that can be surprisingly fun on day two, especially if you want something cultural that doesn’t require intense logistics.

Food experience: breakfast and onboard BBQ, with drinks as the only big extra

Food is a major part of why this cruise gets strong marks. The day includes meals onboard, including a BBQ dinner on the sundeck. If you’re used to day cruises where you eat quickly and move on, you’ll probably appreciate that your meals are timed to the experience, not just stuffed in between transfers.

The key practical detail: drinks aren’t included. That means water, juice, beer, or cocktails during meals and at events may cost extra. If you want to keep costs predictable, decide ahead of time whether you’ll pay for drinks on board or keep it simple.

I also like that there’s a bar on the ship. That’s useful for people who don’t want to feel like the cruise is a dry event. Just don’t assume the bar price is bundled.

Activities in the Halong Bay world: swimming, kayaking, caves, and village views

This cruise is built around the classic mix of Halong Bay region experiences: the bay scenery, close-up cave areas, and water-based sightseeing. The cruise also lists activities such as kayaking around caves and visits to floating villages, plus swimming and even biking on Cat Ba Island (depending on the day’s program).

The most clearly confirmed active moment in your supplied schedule is swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach area in Lan Ha Bay. That’s the one I’d plan your packing around. For the rest, treat them as part of the cruise’s style and expected onboard program, but still ask the guide or check the day’s schedule once you’re on board so you’re not disappointed if weather or timing reshuffles.

Group size and hosts: what “max 40” means for your day

A maximum group size of 40 travelers keeps the experience from feeling too crowded. That’s meaningful on a boat because space is limited: deck areas get tighter at sunset, and meal times can turn chaotic when the group is huge.

A smaller group also makes staff attention feel more personal. Even if you never talk much, you’ll notice that things run smoother: cues for activities happen more clearly, and you spend less time waiting around for the next move.

Day-by-day breakdown you can plan around

Here’s how I’d think about the two days, in real-life terms:

Day 1 (Halong Bay → Lan Ha Bay swim → sunset party → BBQ dinner):

You start early from central Hanoi, travel to Tuan Chau marina, then ease into the cruise with lunch onboard. You get a real break with swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach area, then you finish with sunset party energy and a BBQ dinner on the sundeck. Evening continues with onboard activities.

Day 2 (Bai Tu Long Bay → Tai Chi → morning start → continued bay activities):

You begin with Tai Chi on the sundeck, then enjoy breakfast onboard. The day follows with more Bai Tu Long Bay cruising and the kind of sightseeing and optional activities that Halong-area cruises are known for, built into the onboard schedule.

If you’re trying to decide where to spend your time on this trip, focus on Day 1’s water swim and Day 2’s morning Tai Chi. Those are the two elements that give you a different feel compared with simpler “sit on the boat” cruises.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should consider alternatives)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A 2-day, 1-night Halong Bay cruise without committing to a week-long trip
• Onboard amenities like a pool and enough organized activities to keep things fun
• Meals handled for you, including a BBQ dinner
• A premium-style ship with modern cabins and a newer sailing setup

It’s less ideal if:

• You’re trying to keep spending super tight, since drinks are not included
• You hate early mornings, because Day 2 includes Tai Chi starting at 07:00
• You expect everything to feel exactly like a private tour; the max group size is 40, so you’ll share deck and dining space

Quick booking tip: make sure your cabin category is actually on record

One of the most important lessons from the booking experience is simple: don’t assume your cabin type will automatically appear correctly when you book through a third party. If you’re paying for something specific like an executive suite, confirm that your reservation matches the cabin category before departure.

I always do this by checking your booking details against what the cruise operator shows on their system once you’re in contact with them. It’s not fun to discover the wrong category after you’ve already arrived at the marina.

Should you book Stellar of the Seas Halong Bay 2D1N?

I’d book this if you want a smooth, premium two-day Halong Bay cruise where the fun is scheduled for you: swimming at Ba Trai Dao, sunset party time, and a BBQ dinner on deck, plus the more calming Day 2 Tai Chi.

But I’d hesitate if you’re booking extremely last minute, expect drinks to be included, or need total certainty about a specific cabin category without any reservation cross-check.

If you like your Halong Bay trip to feel like a real experience (food, atmosphere, and organized time on the water), this is a solid choice.

FAQ

What is the price for this cruise?

The price is $460.00 per person.

How long is the experience and what time does it start?

The cruise is approximately 2 days. The start time listed is 8:00 am.

Where is the meeting point in Hanoi?

The meeting point is 7 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Included items are pick-up & drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter (if offered), food, a guide, and entrance fees.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount paid will not be refunded.

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